Obituaries Australia

Thomas Hammond, n.d.

from Australasian Pastoralists' Review, 15 August 1899

With the demise of Mr. Thomas Wardell Hammond, J.P., the Junee district loses not only a pioneer, but a man who was respected and esteemed wherever he was known. The deceased gentleman came to the district 40 years ago, and for the past years was resided at Wyoming, Old Junee. Mr. Hammond interested himself chiefly in sheep breeding, and had for many years been a successful prize-taker. For 20 years he occupied the presidential chair of the Murrumbidgee P. and A. Association (Wagga). He was the oldest justice of the peace in the district, was one of the founders of the Riverina Racing Club, and in a quiet and unobtrusive manner did all he could to promote the welfare of the district. For some months past Mr. Hammond's health has been failing, but until a fortnight ago he did not take to his bed. His death will be severely felt in the Anglican Church, of which he was lay reader, churchwarden, and a liberal supporter. Mr. Hammond was well versed in the history of the early days, and used to tell many interesting anecdotes of the old bushranging days. During 1862 a gang of bushrangers visited Old Junee, making wholesale raids. Mr. Hammond sent a messenger to Wagga (the nearest police station), mounted on Speckleback, his favorite horse, and it is on record that the animal did the trip, 22 miles, in one hour. Several weeks later, Gilbert, Dunn, O'Meally, Ben Hall, and a blackfellow, stuck up the private homestead Wyoming, and insisted upon being supplied with five good horses, including Speckleback whose record had been famed abroad. Two of the gang kept guard over the imprisoned household, while the other three rounded up the horses, and took their pick, after which they departed without further molestation. Mr. Hammond, who had been twice married, leaves a widow, four sons, and six daughters, none of whom are married. Mr. Hammond was in his 74th year. The interment took place at Old Junee on Saturday afternoon. The funeral cortege was very large, and included the representative people of the district for miles around. The Rev. James Studds (an old and deeply revered friend, who has been closely associated with Mr. Hammond for many years in church work), read the burial service. Memorial Services were held at St. Luke's, Junee, on Sunday, 10th instant, at which the rev. gentleman paid a touching tribute to the high moral worth and Christian character of his departed comrade. The church was draped in black, and the 'Dead March' was played morning and evening.